Robert Garcia has one opponent in mind for Vergil Ortiz Jr. this November: unified junior middleweight champion Jaron “Boots” Ennis. After two unsuccessful attempts to make the matchup, Garcia wants both sides to finally get a deal done.
If negotiations fall apart again, Garcia already knows who should come next. He named former world champion Tim Tszyu as the leading option after Tszyu’s unanimous decision victory over Errol Spence Jr.
“We’re pushing for the Boots fight because that’s the biggest fight out there of that division,” Garcia said to Fight Hub TV. “That’s the fight that we want because I think we already owe it to ourselves and to the world. It’s already been twice where things go back and forth and then the fight doesn’t happen. That’s the fight Golden Boy is going to push for. But if not, Vergil versus Tim would be great. I wouldn’t mind. I would love that fight.”
Tszyu has already stated that he intends to remain at middleweight. Garcia said Ortiz would have no issue meeting him there.
“I think it would have to be at 160, right? Because I think Tim already said he’s staying at 160,” Garcia said. “Well, even 160 wouldn’t be a bad idea. I wouldn’t mind. Tim is a great name, great fighter. Just had a great win.”
Garcia also dismissed the idea of giving Ortiz a tune-up after nearly a year out of the ring. He argued that many champions compete only once annually and said Ortiz should return against the strongest opponent available rather than take an easier assignment.
“If it’s not Boots, then Tim would be perfect. I would love that.”
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Categories Jaron Ennis, Tim Tszyu, Vergil Ortiz Jr
Boxing News 24 » Jaron Ennis » Robert Garcia Names Tim Tszyu as Vergil Ortiz Jr.’s Backup Plan
Last Updated on 2026/07/31 at 3:56 AM
